Valve apparatus



Oct. 16', 1956 F. WELTY ET AL 2,766,772

VALVE APPARATUS Filed April 17, 1952 g "'0... A L

- IN VENTORS FRAN K WELTY RAYMOND D. WELTY BY %Wf ATTORNEY United States P VALVE APPARATUS Frank Welty and Raymond D. Welty, Youngstown, Ohio, assignors to Carbonic Dispenser, lnc., Canfield, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 17, 1952, Serial No. 282,752 Claims. (Cl. 137-6302) Our invention relates to valve assemblies for dispensing liquid beverages and the like, and more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of such assemblies.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending applications Ser. No. 97,409, filed June 6, 1949, which has matured into Patent No. 2,653,055, and Ser. No. 215,205, filed March 13, 1951, which has matured into Patent No. 2,702,051, entitled Dispensing and Mixing Valve.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a liquid dispensing valve and actuating mechanism therefor which may be operated with smoothness and precision and with a minimum effort.

Another object of the invention is the provision in beverage dispensing apparatus of an improved valve and actuating mechanism therefor which when placed in an open or full beverage fiow position will remain in such position, but which when started in a closing direction will continue automatically to a fully closed position.

In combination with the above stated objects this invention further seeks to provide an improved arrangement whereby rebound or accidental closing of a valve is prevented when the same is moved rapidly into an open position, as for example by a sharp striking move ment of the hand rather than by an even drawing movement.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision in a multi-fiavor beverage dispensing valve assembly of an improved and simplified arrangement for independently operating each of a plurality of valves whereby a substantially more compact and practical assembly is made possible. As will become apparent from the following disclosure our novel structure and orientation of the elements thereof provides an exceptionally neat and compact dispensing valve assembly which is adapted for mass manufacture and otherwise suited for commercial exploitation.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a beverage dispensing valve and operating mechanism therefor which is capable of precision control, but which is so designed and constructed as to permit substantial latitude in machining tolerances without adversely afiecting the operation of the valve.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed specification and accompanying drawing wherein is disclosed a preferred embodiment of our invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a section view, taken along a principal longitudinal axis, of a beverage dispensing valve constructed in accordance with the teachings of our invention;

Figure 2 is a section view taken substantially along line 11-11 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an operating lever and cam constructed in the manner taught by the invention; and

a washer 14 near its lower end which is Figures 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary schematic views showing in sequence the relation between movement of an operating lever and a valve associated therewith.

In Figures 1 and 2 the reference numeral 10 designates a cylindrical body member of our valve which houses the principal valving elements as will appear and which is adapted to be mounted at a dispensing fountain, not shown, by means of a tubular support 11. Centrally located in the body member 10 and adapted for vertical movement therein is a valve stem 13 carrying a sealing I adapted for valving engagement with a shoulder in the body member 10 in the manner shown. The upper end of the stem 13 is enlarged at 28 and is slidably received in a vertical bore in the body member whereby the stem 13 may be guided in vertical opening and closing movement. The upper end of the enlarged portion 28 normally projects upwardly above the adjacent end surface of the body member 10 and is engaged by a vertically movable thimble 15 which, as shown, is of substantially greater diameter than the stem 13. The thimble 15 is also slidably received and guided by the body member 10 and as will become more fully apparent hereafter opening and closing movement. of the stem 13 is elfected by vertical movement of the: thimble 15 bearing upon the enlarged upper end portion, 28.

In the described embodiment of the invention stem: 13 serves as a controlling valve member for carbonated water, for example, a pressurized source of which com municates through conduit 25 and suitable passages in-- ternally of the body member 10 with the annular space: about stem 13 between the enlarged upper end portiom thereof and the sealing washer 14. Downward move-- ment of stem 13 thus permits flow of the carbonateth water downwardly about the lower end of the valve.

In accordance with the teachings of our co-pending: related applications we provide a pressure reducing re-- stricting member at the discharge side of the water valve, and such member is preferably in the form of a tapered plug 16 which is screw-threadedly received in a complementary shaped tubular insert 17 mounted in the body member 10. The insert 17 is provided with a plurality of radially directed ports as shown for the outlet of water issuing from the restricted annular area between the plug 16 and insert 17.

A valve return spring 18 to act upwardly or in a closing direction upon stem 13 is preferably positioned in the upper portion of the plug 16 in the manner illustrated whereby a compact and easily assembled arrangement is alforded. It will be noted that while the high pressure water acts directly upon the washer 14 in a direction tending to move the same in opposition to the spring 18 the water source pressure also acts upon the enlarged upper end portion 28 in a direction tending to maintain the valve in a closed position. The effects are substantially mutually counterbalancing when the stem 13 is in a closed position whereby smooth opening movement is afforded, but it will be apparent that upon opening of the valve the water pressure ceases to act with full force upon the washer 14 whereby an unbalanced restoring force is provided to act in concert with the spring 18 in tending to return the stem to a closed position.

Generally it is advisable to provide a sealing member to prevent escape of the high pressure water past the enlarged head 28 and in the illustrated embodiment of our invention an O ring is mounted on the enlarged head portion for this purpose.

For mnlti-flavor mixing and dispensing valve assemblies, to which application our invention is ideally suited, we prefer to provide a plurality of valve members at spaced positions about the centrally disposed water valve;

for controlling the outlet flow of a like plurality of beverage flavoring syrups. The valving elements of each of the syrup valves, exclusive of the actuating means there-- for, are substantially the same in each instance. and therefore each willnot be described individually. Corre spending reference numerals willbe used to designate corresponding parts where desirable for purposes of clarity. i i i In the preferred structure of our valve assemblythree syrup. valves 12a, 12b and 120 areincorporated, two of which, 12a and 1212, are positioned in alignment with the centrally disposed water valve, one on each side thereof asshown in Figure l, and the thirdofwhich, 120, is spaced .substantiallyiequally from the other two and is positioned in spaced relation to the water valve in the manner shown in Figure -2.

Each. of the plurality of syrup valves comprises an elongatedstem19 which is slidably received in the body member .and adapted for vertically guided movement therein. The upper. end portion of eachof the stems 19 is enlarged .at 29 and a compressible coil spring 26 ispositioned .about the stem- 19 and against the enlarged end. portion to act upwardly-thereon. Thelower end portion of each .stem 19 carries a headed bolt 21 and'sealing washer 22, the latter of which-is adapted to act upwardly. influid sealing engagement withthe lower end extremity of a depending tube 23 which is rigidly mountedin thebody member it As shown in Figures 1 and 2 an annular space is provided between the tube 23 and stem 19 to provide for the passage of beverage flavoring syrup downwardly to be discharged from the lower end ofthetube23 when washer 22 is out of. engagement with the lower end thereof.

Toprovide for. inlet of flavoring syrup into the above. described annular space a clearance. space 24is provided between the upper end of the tube 23 and the borein which the same is received. A. bored passage, not shown,

communicates with the clearance ;space 24 and with suit-.

able conduit, also not shown, preferably positioned internally of the tubular support 11 as is the Water conduit 25. The arrangement of the syrup passages and conduitsleading to the. various syrup valves forms no part of this invention and istl'lus not described herein. Ifdesired, a

more complete disclosure of these features may be found inour Patent No. 2,702,05 1.

To preventthe passage of syrup .upwardlyalong the stem 19 and around the enlarged head thereof we have provided an 0 ring seal 2) at thelower end of the bore;

in which the head 20 is slidably received. A flatwasher 27 of rigid material is positioned above the seal 29,.and

below the return spring 26 to maintain the seal under.

compression. 7

As does the head portion 28 of stem 13, the headpor tion 2t} of stem 19 projects upwardly above the adjacent surface of the body memberlb whereby the head Ztlis accessible for the application of a downward or valve opening control force.

the present invention as will presently appear.

In the preferred operation of our beverage mixing and dispensing valve assembly a flavoring syrup valve and the The particular arrangement for: applying such control force forms an important part ofwater valve are open concurrently during dispensing whereby predetermined proportions of each .of the. dis similar liquidcomponents may be caused to be. turbulently intermixed.

a plurality of pivotally operating levers 31, 32 and 33,

In accordance with theteachings of 5 the present invention this is accomplished byproviding.

one for operating each of the plurality of .syrup valves,

having cam surfaces 34 -36 respectively thereon adapted to cause the syrup valves 12 to open in response to appropriate movement of the levers and to cause the water valve to open whenever a syrup valve is open.

Figure 1 illustrates the preferred orientation of the cam levers 31 33, and it will be observed therein tha t the s'arne are pivotally mounted over the body member be apparent thatthesame may becast or moulded tasan;

integral part of the. body. member. Suitable transverse bores are provided in the blocks 38- and39'=-for thereception of the rod 37, and-to facilitate. assemblyand maintenance it is preferredthat the rod 37 be slidably insertable therein. In the product-as finally-assembled the rod 37 is retained in the blocks 38 and 39 by means of a pin 38'. Downwardly extending side walls 41 of an end cap member 42 serve .to cover and enclose the mechanism at the upper end'of the assembly and to thus lend apleasing.

appearance thereto. A plurality ofslots 49 are provided in the cap 42 for reception of levers 31-33 as shown. in Figures l and 2. This arrangement. possesses considerable merit in its inherent simplicity and ease of' manufactureand assembly aswill be apparent.

Cam surfaces 34fland 3.6, of levers 31 and 33respectively, are arrangedto overlie syrup valves12a and'IZb. respectivelyand'at least a portion of thimble 15wherebyv upon suitable movement of either of the levers (to the left as vieweddn Figure 2) the associated syrup valve stem'wili be moved downwardly as Willthe thimble; 15,

andvvater valve stem 13. Thimble 15 should, of course,

be of such length as to, avoid binding when downward control'force is applied to an edge portion-only thereof.

To operate valve 12c and thimble 15. concurrently we haveprovided a horizontally disposcd'bar 43' which is retainedin a; recess in the thimble 15 underlying cam lever 32 and overlying ;valve whereby upon execution of an opening-movement of-lever '32 the bar 43 will be caused to move downwardly to open valve 12c in the usual manner. Proper orientation of the bar 43 is maintained by means-of a-pin- 44 whichis'slidablyreceived'in each the'bodymember 1% and bar 43'whereby rotationof" the -bar about the longitudinal axis of the thimbleyis prevented-. Pin-44' additionally serves to aid in maintaining the horizontal dispostion of the bar 43 as will be understood.--

In---theoperation of control levers 31-33 "smooth and precise'movement is a highly desirable characteristic; and

it 'iszfurther highly desirable that-the levers when moved to-a .fu-lly opened position remain unattended in such positionp By-the teachings-of'our invention we-have-accomplished these ends and have further providedthat aslight movement of the levers in a closing directionfrom a full OPEIIpOSlllOHWillnbQ sufficient to cause the-leversto return-bythemselves to a fully closed position; These features are particularly valuable where periods ofrush 4 or peakfdemand may be expected. Thus, for-- example, an operator-mayafterinitially opening a certain flavoringvalvedevote bothhandstohandling cups-or glasses, there by effecting a maximum -production efliciencyr A 'quiek and simple handmovement is all that-is required to change flavors or shut off the valve. v

In the rpreferred emb'odiment of our-invention valve controlasdescribed above may be obtained by means of cam: leversr31-33 .having .cam. surfaces 34-7-36 thereon of.the;type.shownwinrFigure- 3. 1 His contemplated that each of the cam surfaces 3436 will be substantially identical and therefore but one will be describedw Asillustrated in Figure 3, cam surface 34' comprises a plurality-(four'in; the-- illustration-) of surfaceportions Surface portion'34a is a sub- 34a, 34b; 34c, --and 3411's stantial-lvflatportion whichis normal to; and extendson either side of a normally vertical centerline'CL'taken through boref15jprovidedfor thereception of pivotrod 37:" The flat portion 34a' provides "a broad contact area;

against which the upwardly spring biased valve 12a and thimble 15 may bear. As indicated in Figures 46 the longitudinal axis of valves 12a and 12b, and of thimble 15 extend substantially through the geometric center of the bore 45 whereby when lever 31 is in the valve closed or vertical orientation as illustrated in Figure 4, the force exerted by the valve 12a upon the surface portion 34a passes substantially directly through the point of pivotal mounting of the lever. Thus an inherently stable valveclosed position is provided wherein lever 31 will remain until moved by an operator. A short downwardly extending foot 50 is provided at the forward or right hand side of lever 31 for engagement with the upper surface of body member 10. A forward limit stop is thus provided wherein valve 12a is fully closed. In the illustrated form of the invention the center lever 32 is provided with a foot 50' which is adapted to bear against the projecting end of an upwardly urged valve stem 51. As may be understood, stem 51 serves normally as a forward limit stop reference for lever 32, but upon continued forceful forward movement of the lever 32 stem 51 will be depressed to cause high pressure carbonated water to pass from the valve assembly.

In the preferred commercial embodiment of our invention the dimension A between the pivotal center point and surface portion 34a is approximately one-half inch. Valve opening is effected by pivoting lever 31 to the left whereby valve 12a bears against a surface portion 34d or 340 which is spaced farther from the pivotal center point than is surface portion 34a. To permit the lever 31 to move smoothly and easily while the valve 12a is being displaced downwardly we provide a transition surface or riser portion 34b which is arcuate in contour and merges in tangency with surface portion 34a. The arcuate surface portion 34b preferably has a radius (dimension B) of approximately 1%; inches which is measured from a point removed a distance (dimension C) of approximately A inch to the left of centerline CL. This positioning of the center point of radius B provides for a certain leftward extension of surface portion 34a whereby a flat bearing surface is provided in the valve closed position. Surface portion 34b intersects a radius Ra which extends from the pivotal center point at an angle of approxi mately'35" with centerline CL. Radius Ra at this point is approximately inch greater than dimension A, and it is contemplated such an increase in dimension will be sufiicient to open valve 12:: substantially to its fully open position. As will shortly be apparent it is desirable for the lever 31 to be self holding in this position (see Figure 5) and thus we have provided a short surface or first stop portion 34c which intersects surface portion 34b at the point of the latters intersection with radius Ra. From this point, surface portion 340 extends normally to radius Ra, intersecting radius Rb which is angularly displaced approximately 10 from Ra. Thus surface portion 340 provides a short flat land which is adapted to bear against the flat upper end portion or bearingsurface of valve 12a in such manner that the restoring force of the valve acts substantially through the pivotal center point of lever 31. Lever 31 is accordingly self-holding at a position displaced angularly approximately 35 from a vertical valve closed position. Valve 12a is substantially fully open with lever 31 in this position and drinks may be dispensed from the valve assembly in the usual manner.

It will be noted that the length of surface portion 340 is 'so proportioned with respect to the bearing surface of valve 12a that the surface 34c may be contained wholly within the peripheral limits of the bearing surface. This is desired in most cases since a substantially smoother and more continuous movement is provided.

intersecting radius Rb and surface portion 340 is yet another surface portion 34d which extends normally to the} radius Rb, thus providing, as surface portion 34c, a

valve open or second stop position wherein lever 31 is self holding. The length of radius Rb (dimension D), as may be observed from inspection of Figure 3', is but slightly greater than the length of radius Ra and thus there is substantially no change in the valve position in moving lever 31 from a 35 displacement to its fully open position at approximately 45 displacement. The

extending surface portion 34d serves additionally to bear against the upper surface of body member 10 to provide a limit stop for forward opening movement of lever 31 as is illustrated in Figure 6.

The merit in the novel provision of the contiguous surface portions 34c and 34d may be readily appreciated when considering the fact that soda fountain operators often move the cam levers to a full open position by a quick flip of the hand rather than an even drawing movement. Where such is the case the levers are likely to rebound from the forward limit stop position and immediately return to a closed position. This is virtually eliminated by my arrangement wherein, for example, if lever 31 rebounds from impact of surface portion 34d with the body member 10, surface portion 340 will catc and the lever 31 will be retained in a 35 displacement rather than a full open 45 displacement. As pointed out, valve 12a is substantially fully open in either the 35 or 45 position.

It will be particularly noted that the above effect is obtained without resorting to over-center type retaining devices or methods, and smoothness and continuity of movement are accordingly realized. A very slight closing movement of the lever 31 from a 35 displacement will cause the same to close automatically in accordance with the desired control arrangement.

Operation of the center lever 32 in controlling valve 12c through bar 43 is in substantially all respects the same as operation of levers 31 and 33 in directly controlling valves 12a and 12b. Control forces are exerted by lever 32 upon the bar 43 in the manner described above, with the forces being applied to the remotely located valve through the medium of the bar 43.

It will be understood that our theory of operation as above presented, while limited to description of operation of syrup valves 12a, 12b, and 120, applies equally to the operation of water valve 13 through thimble 15. It will be readily apparent from Figure 1 that the thimble 15 will be depressed by movement of any of the levers 15. For reasons explained in our co-pending related applications a slight clearance space is preferably provided between the syrup valves 12a, 12b and 120 and surface portion 34a whereby the water valve will be open slightly before and closed slightly after any syrup valve. In the event such clearance space is provided the thimble 15 will resiliently bear against surface portions 34a, 35a and 36a to maintain the levers in a valve closed, position.

To provide a slight frictional resistance to movement of levers 3133, and to permit relaxation of manufacturing tolerances of the levers, we have provided an annular recess in each of the levers which is adapted to receive a resilient 0 ring member in the manner illustrated in Figure 1. This arrangement improves the feel of the levers during operation thereof and tends to restrict rebound or bounce back of the levers when quickly opened as will be understood. In addition, the O ring members 48 operate to take up any sloppiness in the fit between bores 45 and rod 37 whereby machining tolerances may be readily maintained in a range where a free sliding fit is possible. Ease of assembly is one of the many advantages realized from this feature.

It should thus be apparent that our novel valve assembly possesses many advantages over arrangements hitherto known in the art. We have provided a compact and efiicient arrangement for mixing and dispensing carbonated beverages and the like which is readily adaptable for multi-fiavor dispensing.

Ourhovl mode of operation, and orientation of componerits-combines many of the desirable operating feature's of valve assemblies 'of this general type whereby bp-timum performance is readily and consistently obtained.

The novel combination of vertically operable valves with actuating cams of the type described provides a mode of operation which has been foundto be most desired by soda fountain operators, and itwill be observed that we have accomplished this end without compromise to the various other advantageous characteristics of our valve.

In addition to this novel mode of operation, we have provided an arrangement which may be inexpensively manufactured and easily assembled, and which is accordingly highly suited for offer in a competitive market. Specifically, our arrangement of mou'nting levers 31 -33 on the rod 37 Which is in 'turn slidably received in support blocks 38 and 39 provides a construction of'extreme simplicity utilizing 'a minimum of parts and requiring aminimum of time in assembly.

Our invention further teaches the novel concept of utilizing a centrally located relatively large diameter thimble adapted to be engaged by a plurality of in dependently operable cam levers, each of which levers is adapted to actuate the thimble 15 to control water flow through the valve, and to actuate a syrup valve for controlling the flow through the valve of any of several flavoring syrups. The compactness and utility of'our arrangement is increased through 'the use of a horizontally extending bar 43 to operate a syrup valvep'ositioned remotely of the operating lever therefor. And it will be particularly noted in this respect that the thimble 15, wherein bar 43 is retained, is operable independently of the bar 43 by means of levers 31 and 33, and cooperatively with the bar 43 by means of lever 32.

Having thus described in detail a preferred embodiment of our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a valve assembly for mixing and dispensing a plurality of flavored beverages the combination of a body member; first longitudinally movable valve means positioned centrally in said body member and adapted to control the flow through said valve of a base liquid; second, third and fourth longitudinally movable valves positioned in said body member each adapted to control the flow of a flavoring liquid; said first, second and third valves being positioned substantially in a single plane; a pivot rod carried by said body member in said plane and spaced longitudinally with respect to said first, second and third valves; and first, second and third operating levers pivotally carried by said rod and adapted to operate said first, second and third valves respectively; said levers having first, second and third cam surfaces respectively thereon overlying said first valve means and adapted upon pivotal movement of said levers to cause longitudinal movement of said first 'valve means; said second and third cam surfaces overlying said second and third valves respectively and adapted upon pivotal'movement of said second and third levers to cause longitudinal movement of said second and third valves; said first valve means including a first valve and means underlying said first cam surface and overlying said first valve and said fourth valve whereby upon pivotal movement of said first lever said first and fourth valves will be caused to move in a longitudinal direction.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized by said means underlying said first cam surface and overlying said first and fourth valves comprising a longitudinally slidable thimble member carried'by said body membensaid thimble member underlying said first, "second and third cam surfaces; and a transversely'disposed bar releasably carried by said thimble; 'sai'dbar'overlying said fourth valve and underlying only the first of said first, second and third cam surfaces.

liquids the combination of a body "member, first and second valves carried by said body member in'f's'pa'ce'd relation and adapted to move longitudinally infopening and closing directions, a first operating lever pivotally mounted over said body member'and having a first cam surface thereon overlying said first valve, athimbl'emenr ber carried by said body member and-'adaptedfor longitudinal sliding movement therein, said'thimble overlying said first valve and underlying said "first "cam surface whereby pivotal movement of said first lever causes longitudinal movement of said first valve, movable r'riea'ns normally recessed in said thimble member underlying said first cam surface and overlying said Second valve whereby upon pivotal movement of said first lever said second valve is caused to move longitudinally, a third valve carried by said body member and adapted to move longitudinally in opening and closing directions 'and a second operating lever pivotally mounted over 'said' third valve and having a second cam "surface thereon overlying said third valve member and said thi'mble member whereby upon pivotal movement of said "second lever said first and third valves will he causedto 'move in a longs tudinal direction.

4. In a valve assembly for dispensing a plurality of flavored beverages'the combination of a body member; first valve means and second and third valves carried by said body member and adapted for longitudinal opening and closing movement; a first operating lever -.positioned over said first valve means andhaving a first-cam surface thereon overlying said ffirst valve means;zsaid first valve means including a'valve and movable 'me'ans overlying said first and second valves and underlying said first cam surface whereby upon pivotal movement of said first lever said first and-second'valves will be caused to move'lo'ngitudinally; and a second operating lever-having a second cam surfacethereon overlyingsaid first-and third valves whereby upon pivotal movement of said second lever said first and third valves will be caused to move longitudinally. U V

5. In a valve assembly for dispensing a plurality of liquids the combination of a body member first and second valves carried by said body'member andadapted for longitudinal opening and closing movements afirst operating lever pivotally carried by said body member over said first valve, said 'lever having a first cam surface thereon adapted to overlie said first valve, movable-means interposed between said first cam surface and said first valve whereby upon pivotal movement-of said'firstjlever said first valve is caused to move longitudinally by force transmitted through said movable means, said'movable means including a first movable member-underlying said first cam surface and overlying said second valve "and a second movable member separable from said first movable member underlying said first movable member and overlying said first valve whereby upon vpivotal move ment of said first lever said second valve will be caused to move longitudinally by force transmitted through said first movable member, and a second operating leverpivotally carried by said 'body member, said'second .lever having a second cam surface thereon overlying said second movable member whereby upon-pivotal movement of said second lever said first valve will be caused to move longitudinally by force transmitted through said second movable member. p

6. In a valve for dispensing liquids the combination of a body member having a longitudinal-end;.surface; a valve carried by said body member and adapted for longitudinal opening and closingmovement therein;.yieldable means carried by said body member to urge said valve longitudinally into a closed position; said valve having a stem portion extending longitudinally (if end surface, said stem portion having a 'gene'rallyflat bearing surface at the end extremity 'thereo'f; operating lever pivotally carried by said body 'rnembeFahd having a cam surface thereon adapted to engage said flat bearing surface; said lever being pivotally movable between first and second limit positions; said valve and said lever being so oriented that the point of pivotal support of said lever is substantially aligned with the axis of longitudinal movement of said valve; said cam surface comprising first, second, third and fourth cam surface portions; said first cam surface portion being adapted to overlie said bearing surface when said lever is in said first limit position and said first surface portion being disposed generally normal to said axis of longitudinal movement and extending substantially on both sides thereof; said first surface portion being so positioned with respect to said point of pivotal movement as to cause said valve to be in a fully closed position when said lever is in said first limit position; said second cam surface portion being of arcuate convex contour extending substantially from tangency with said first surface portion and having a radius of in the order of three times the length of a first radius extending from said point of pivotal support to said first surface portion, said second surface portion extending into intersection with a second radius extending from said point of pivotal support at an angle of in the order of thirty-five degrees from said first radius; said third cam surface portion comprising a substantially flat portion extending from the intersection of said second surface portion with said second radius into intersection with a third radius extending from said point of pivotal support at an angle of in the order of ten degrees from said second radius; said fourth cam surface portion comprising a substantially flat portion extending from said last mentioned point of intersection in a direction substantially normal with respect to said third radius; said fourth cam surface portion adapted to overlie said bearing surface when said lever is in said second limit position; and said third and fourth cam surface portions being so positioned radially with respect to said point of pivotal support that said valve is substantially fully open when either said third or fourth cam surface portion overlies said bearing surface.

7. In a valve assembly for dispensing a plurality of liquids the combination of a body member, first and second valves for flavoring liquid carried by said body member and adapted for longitudinal opening and closing movements, a valve for base liquid carried by said body member and adapted for longitudinal opening and closing movements, first and second operating levers for said first and second valves, means comprising a common pivot rod for pivotally mounting said operating levers in sideby-side relation adjacent a longitudinal end of said body member, each of said levers having an operating connection with one of said first or second valves, said valve for base liquid being positioned in said body member in common adjacent relation to each of said operating levers, each of said levers having independent operating relation with said last mentioned valve, the anrangement being such that upon pivotal movement of either of said operating levers said valve for base liquid and one of said first and second valves is operated.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further characterized by said valve assembly including a third operating lever mounted on said common pivot rod between said first and second levers and in side-by-side relation therewith, and said valve for base liquid being positioned generally below said third lever and having an operating connection therewith, and said valve for base liquid further having an enlarged head portion extending outwardly of each side of said third operating lever whereby to provide operating connection with said first and second operating levers.

9. Appainatus according to claim 7 further characterized by said operating levers having lost motion operating connections with said first and second valves only whereby upon operation of said levers the flow of base liquid will be initiated prior to and will be terminated subsequent to the flow of flavoring liquid.

10. In a valve assembly for dispensing a plurality of liquids the combination of a body member, first and second valves carried by said body member and adapted for longitudinal opening and closing movements, movable means overlying said first and second valves, said first valve having an enlarged 'head portion underlying said movable means and extending transversely thereof, said movable means being separable from said head portion, a first operating lever pivotally mounted on said body member and having an operating connection with said movable means whereby upon pivotal movement of said first lever said first and second valves are actuated, and a second operating lever pivotally mounted on said body member and having an operating connect-ion with said first valve whereby upon pivotal movement of said second lever said first valve is actuated independently of said movable means and second valve.

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